World Cup Won't Define My Career

Exclusive interview/AB de Villiers, South African cricketer.

- Neeru Bhatia

November 2015. South Africa, trailing 1-0 in a four-match Test series against India, was struggling at 45/3 inside 15 overs on Day 1 of the second Test. As South Africa’s No 5 batsman walked to the crease, the 20,000-odd fans in attendance exploded into chants of “ABD! ABD!” And, when he fell for 85, after a lonely battle against the Indian spinners, the crowd was dismayed. The match was not in Durban or Cape Town. It was in Bengaluru.

Such is the effect that Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, one of cricket’s all-time greats, has had on the psyche of the Indian cricket fan (the chant echos wherever he plays in India). Some may call it a byproduct of his exploits in the Indian Premier League; he represents the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and has also played for Delhi Daredevils. But, no other overseas player, perhaps, gets the adulation that AB de Villiers does in India. It does not fluctuate, even if there is a certain Virat Kohli out there in the middle with him.

De Villiers has earned every bit of respect through his performances on the pitch and his behaviour off it. He has been one of the finest ambassadors of cricket. His 14-year international career is unblemished. He averages 50.66 in Tests and 53.50 in ODIs. The 34-year-old shows no apparent weaknesses. More than the bowler’s skill, it is his own explosive style that leads to his dismissal. In terms of technique, he is right up there with the more classical players like New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and the now-banned former Australian skipper Steve Smith. Add to that his chutzpah and his arsenal of unorthodox shots, and de Villiers is truly in a league of his own making.